How does early cognitive behavioural therapy reduce postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a frequent mood disorder. Early identification of mothers at risk is crucial to successful prevention. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an effective preventing therapy. Objectives of this study are to identify mothers at risk for PPD using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and evaluate the efficacy of CBT for the prevention of PPD in these mothers. Women were recruited during their second postpartum day. Two groups were selected: mothers with high risk (EPDS score ≥ 10) and mothers with low risk (EPDS score < 10) of PPD. The first group underwent CBT. Follow up was carried out at 40 days, three, six, and 12 months after childbirth. APGAR score, neonatal hospitalization, delayed breastfeeding, and cesarean section were significant obstetric risk factors. Mothers at high risk of PPD presented a statistically valid improvement of EPDS score. Mothers with low risk of PPD did not have CBT and showed a higher EPDS score than mother at high risk at 12 months. PPD prevention is possible through early identification of mothers at risk and early cognitive behavioural therapy.

Placental site trophoblastic tumor on endometrial polyp: a case report.

Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is the least common form of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), and is biologically different from other forms of GTD. There is a wide clinical spectrum of presentation and behavior ranging from a benign condition to an aggressive disease with a fatal outcome. The authors document a case of PSTT on an endometrial polyp. A 51-year-old woman had abnormal vaginal bleeding for the duration of two months. Her past history included a vaginal delivery in 1998. Her physical examination was normal. Tumor markers were at normal levels. Serum beta- human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level was 19 mIU/ml and human placental lactogen (hPL) level was in the normal range. The patient underwent an operative hysteroscopy. On examination the uterine cavity appeared to be occupied by a pedunculated polypoid neoformation measuring about 2.5 cm in diameter which was removed and later determined to be a PSTT. There were occasional mitotic figures (0-1/10 high power field). The patient underwent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The patient has no evidence of disease six months after surgery. The authors conclude that a high mitotic count and atypical undifferentiated pathological features are significant poor prognostic factors for survival in PSTT. Hysterectomy represents the gold standard of treatment in all cases of disease confined to the uterus.

New horizons in the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic disorder, clinically associated with chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. Its socio-economic impact is extensive, given the large number of affected women in reproductive age, its symptomatology (that interferes with normal social life and the patient's ability to work), and its frequent association with infertility. Nonetheless, the diagnosis of endometriosis is still difficult and late in the evolution of the disorder. The authors have used the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) criteria to make a systematic review of the literature of the last 28 years, seeking to identify potential biomarkers useful for a non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. The authors have highlighted more than 50 biomarkers in the studies included in the present report, but they have not succeeded in identifying a clinically useful non-invasive diagnostic biomarker or panel of biomarkers. More studies are needed before biomarkers can be introduced in clinical practice.

A decrease in sex ratio at birth nine months after the earthquake in L'Aquila.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple factors influence the secondary sex ratio (SSR) including stress, which appears to affect mainly the males born. OBJECTIVE: We evaluate the effects of the earthquake in L'Aquila on the SSR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SSR for the first six months of 2010 was compared to that of the same period of 2008. The chi-square test and Fisher's test were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Nine months after the earthquake, an important reduction in the SSR was recorded: January 2010 versus January 2008 =0.62 versus 0.96. An overall fall in the SSR was also recorded when the first 3 months of 2010 were compared to the first three months of 2008: 0,82 versus 1,11. When the first three months of 2010 were compared with the second three months of 2010, a statistically significant increase of the sex ratio at birth was noted (0,82 versus 1,27).

Intrauterine balloon tamponade as management of postpartum haemorrhage and prevention of haemorrhage related to low-lying placenta.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Bakri balloon in preventing and treating postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Intrauterine Bakri balloon was used in a total of 16 patients with two different purposes: prophylactic placement of the balloon after cesarean section (CS) in six patients with low-lying placenta and therapeutic placement in ten patients with persistent bleeding from uterine atony, after spontaneous delivery, and administration of uterotonics. Intrauterine Bakri balloon was a successful approach in controlling and preventing PPH in all 16 patients. The median nadir hematocrit was 26.6% in six patients who underwent CS and 25.6% in ten patients with persistent bleeding after spontaneous delivery. The intrauterine balloon was in place for a duration of 24 hours. The median balloon infusion volume was 345 ml (range 250-455). No complications were reported. Bakri balloon tamponade was a useful measure in treating PPH unresponsive to pharmacological therapy in patients who delivered vaginally. Moreover, it was able to prevent persistent bleeding in patients who underwent CS for central placenta previa.

Uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex cord tumors. A case report.

Uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex cord tumors (UTROSCT) are rare, usually benign, polypoid or nodular neoplasms which generally arise in the fourth to sixth decade of life. We report a case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with vaginal bleeding and remarkable uterine enlargement. Abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed and a diagnosis of UTROSCT was made. Immunohistochemistry is mandatory for a correct diagnosis and a panel of at least two markers of sex cord differentiation is recommended. Differential diagnoses include leiomyosarcoma, UTROSCT and ESTSCLE, mixed müllerian tumor and metastatic ovarian sex cord tumor.